The Museum in "The Manse"
The Gouverneur Museum has artifacts on three floors, an exhibit building outside, an Annex at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fairgrounds, and an authentic one room schoolhouse.
The museum's collection was built from local donations and every object speaks to us from the past and links us to the real people who once owned it. Thanks to the generosity of area residents, the Museum houses thousands of items, many are quite unique.​
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The Museum's main building was built in 1904 and was once a three-story Victorian home, the Presbyterian Manse. ​"The Manse" was purchased by the Historical Association in 1974 and opened as a museum on July 4, 1976.
2015, the First Presbyterian Church building next door and the Manse were placed on the National Historical Registry. Read more about the history of Gouverneur's First Presbyterian Church.
Visit the Gouverneur Museum virtually… using our mobile app. The app was built for mobile devices, but can still be experienced with a computer.
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The Gouverneur Museum is open from 1:00 - 3:00PM on Wednesdays.
The Museum is open on Saturdays by appointment.
Call Joe Laurenza at 315-323-2654 for an appointment.
Admission is always free.
Become a Member of the Gouverneur Historical Association
Support the Gouverneur Historical Association and Museum by becoming a member.
Mail your annual dues ($10.00) to 30 Church Street, Gouverneur, NY 13642
OR Donate securely online. A donation of at least $10, makes you a member of the Gouverneur Historical Association and our mailing list.
The Fry Family: Black Pioneers of Gouverneur
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The Fry family lived in Gouverneur for over 60 years. Who was Flora Fry?
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Why was she given a Gerritt Smith land grant when women in New York State would not be able to vote until 1918?
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What became of her four children raised in Gouverneur?
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Learn about an unrecognized black civil war veteran from Gouverneur.
Bryan Thompson, DeKalb, NY Historian presented a talk about the Fry family on September 23, 2021 at the Gouverneur Community Center. Watch the Video
In 2024, the Gouverneur Chamber's Flag Day ceremony honored a lost Civil War veteran from Gouverneur. A plaque honoring Corporal Danby Fry was dedicated. This plaque, fixed to the Memorial Arch, gives overdue recognition to a Gouverneur soldier who served three years in the 20th US Colored Infantry during the Civil War.
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This recognition came about because of the efforts of Bryan Thompson, the Historian for the Town of DeKalb, NY. Until Bryan’s research brought Danby Fry’s identity to light, this Civil War veteran had been unknown to the Gouverneur Historical Association. The Historical Association is grateful to Bryan for his research and passion.
The 20th U.S. Colored Infantry was organized at Rikers Island, New York February 9, 1864 for three-year service and mustered under the command of Colonel Nelson B. Bartram. The regiment was attached to Department of the East to March 1864. Defenses of New Orleans, Louisiana, Department of the Gulf, to December 1864.
Gouverneur Benefactors
Many individuals have contributed to the Gouverneur community. These sixteen profiles give you a glimpse into the lives and backgrounds of some of our historical benefactors.
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Gouverneur History Online
The books are also available for purchase in the Museum Shop. However, no copies of the Sesqui-Centennial History are available, but you can read the full text here at the Museum's website.
Gouverneur
A History 1805-1890
by Jane A.W. Parker
Gouverneur
Sesqui-Centennial History
1805 - 1955
Gouverneur
Bicentennial History
1805-2005